Torney General Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torney General Hospitalnow Desert Regional Medical Center |
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Torney General Hospital in 1943,
now the Desert Regional Medical Center with the El Mirador Tower |
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| Location | Palm Springs, California |
| Built | 1942 |
| Governing body | https://desertregionalgme.com/ |
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Torney General Hospital was a special hospital used by the United States Army during World War II. It was located in Palm Springs, California. After the war, parts of this hospital became what is now known as the Desert Regional Medical Center.
The hospital closed in November 1945. Later, it was sold and became the Palm Springs Desert Hospital and the Palm Springs Desert Medical Plaza. Today, it is the Desert Regional Medical Center. The famous El Mirador Tower still stands tall at the hospital's entrance.
History of the Hospital Site
The El Mirador Hotel: From Glamour to War
The land where the hospital stands was once home to the El Mirador Hotel. This fancy resort opened on December 31, 1927. It was built by Prescott Thresher Stevens. The hotel quickly became a popular spot for Hollywood stars and rich people.
Famous guests like Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Lillian Gish attended its opening in 1928. Other frequent visitors included the Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, and even Albert Einstein. The hotel had a Spanish-Colonial style tower, 200 rooms, tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, horse stables, and a golf course. The name "El Mirador" means "watchtower" in Spanish.
The good times ended when the Wall Street Crash of 1929 happened. Stevens sold the hotel in 1932. New owners, Tony Burke and Frank Bogert, worked hard to make Palm Springs and the hotel famous again. The "Amos 'n' Andy" radio show even broadcasted from the hotel in the early 1930s.
Torney General Hospital: A Wartime Hospital
In July 1942, the United States Army bought the El Mirador Hotel. They turned the 139-acre complex into a large 1600-bed hospital. A year later, in 1943, the Army Air Forces took over the hospital.
The hospital was named after George H. Torney (1850–1913). He was a doctor who served as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States Army. Torney General Hospital treated soldiers for general illnesses. It also had special care for conditions like rheumatic fever, and performed general and orthopedic surgeries.
The hospital supported soldiers from the Desert Training Center and other California training camps. It also cared for troops returning home from overseas. Because there weren't enough workers, about 250 men from the Italian Service Unit helped at the hospital. A group of women from the Women's Army Corps also worked there.
Desert Regional Medical Center: Modern Healthcare Today
The Desert Regional Medical Center is a large hospital with 385 beds. It is located at 1150 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. The hospital first opened in 1948. Today, it is run by Tenet Healthcare.
Desert Regional Medical Center has an emergency room and a Level II trauma center. This means it can handle very serious injuries and medical emergencies. It serves the entire Coachella Valley. The hospital offers general medical care and specialized treatments. These include care for digestive problems, heart conditions, and women's health. It also has a Neonatal intensive care unit for newborn babies needing special care.
Over 300 doctors work at Desert Regional Medical Center. They cover more than 40 different medical specialties. The hospital is part of the Desert Care Network. This network also includes John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital and Hi-Desert Medical Center.
Present Features of the Site
Desert Healthcare Park: A Place for Wellness
The Desert Healthcare Park, also called Wellness Park, was built in 1948. It is located on land that was once part of Torney General Hospital. The City of Palm Springs, the Desert Water Agency, and the Palm Springs Unified School District helped create this park. A non-profit group, the Desert Healthcare Foundation, takes care of it.
This five-acre public park is at 1140 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. It has many features for people to enjoy:
- Interactive gardens
- A quarter-mile loop for walking or jogging, with drinking fountains and benches
- Five exercise stations for fitness
- Quiet gardens for relaxation
- Meditation spots
- A memorial area
- A fragrance garden with sweet-smelling plants
- A bubbling fountain
- A garden designed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds
Ruth Hardy Park: A Community Space
The city-owned Ruth Hardy Park is a 22-acre park. It was also built in 1948 on land that used to be part of Torney General Hospital. You can find it at 700 Tamarisk Road.
El Mirador Tower: A Historic Landmark
The El Mirador Tower is a famous landmark in Palm Springs. It has a Moroccan-Spanish style. The tower has been there since the El Mirador Hotel was built in 1927. In the early days, the tower even had a radio studio. Some "Amos 'n' Andy" radio shows were broadcast from inside the tower.
Sadly, the original tower was destroyed by a fire on July 25, 1989. The fire started just after midnight. But in 1991, a new tower was built. It looks exactly like the original one, keeping the history alive.
